The year started with general agreement by the Society re the Plans Council had for the Little Theatre renovations.
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These had been negotiated by President, Greig Ball who was re-elected for another term.
While Andrew Hunt remained Treasurer, Jenny Short became Secretary.
With the anticipated building works about to get under way only one production was to be staged, the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, "Pirates of Penzance", directed by Greig with Jenny assisting.
The cast had a mixture of old hands such as Bruce Buchanan, Mal Westcott, Cliff Cowell, Liz Matthews, Cath Orr-Kellett, John Short, Andrew and Noveta Hunt, Stan and Aaaron Kingham while new members included David Warburton, Terry Walsh, Barry and Sandra Turner, Bruce and Rachel Prior, Emma Bird, Margaret Glowacki and Erica Willmott.
Kerriean Hood, an accomplished pianist, provided the music while Sue Ball, Lyn Townsend and Tania Mill, provided costumes and lighting. "Pirates" was very well received as any of the G & S are always popular.
A Bush Cabaret was to end the year but had to be postponed till the start of next.
Greig Ball, having served three terms, stood down as President and Jenny Short was elected in his place with her position of Secretary being taken by Isabelle Powter.
The show that carried over was named "Bushman's Cabaret and Saucy Melodrama" produced and directed by Liz Matthews, assisted by Bruce Buchanan, musical direction Judith Schmalkuche, sound and lighting, Andrew Hunt and costumes Lyn Townsend and Merrill Bowey.
The melodrama was "Dirty Work at the Diggings" also directed by Liz with Stan Kingham, Lyn Townsend, Cathy Rawsthorne, Aaron Churchill, Isabelle Powter, John Short and Warwick Tom in the cast.
The evening concluded with the Ensemble singing We are Australian.
Bruce Buchanan proposed he direct a one act play for Gulgong in August "Sunday's Costs Five Pesos".
The cast included Greig, Jenny, Liz, Suzie and Lyn.
It was previewed in Parkes with the proceeds going to CareFlight.
While at the Festival, Parkes put it's name down to host the Play Festival in 2000 about August.
The contract for the Little Theatre renovation was signed in the middle of the year.
This meant before work started, members had to pack up and remove a lot of the lights and sound equipment, which was achieved over two weekends.
Lorna Helby suggested she stage an end of year production "The Olde Bull and Bush" to be performed at the International Motel with approximate seating for one hundred patrons.
Sixteen members Cliff, Noveta, Stan, Hilary, Kay and Geoff Lindsay, Cathy Rawsthorne, Rosemary Prior, David Warburton, Teresa Holland, Rick Avery, Lea Bett, Bob Collins and Molly Cunningham.
Musical Director, Lance Martin led a band with Sax, piano, trumpet and Drums.
Apart from a few ups and downs the show was a great success just before Christmas.
As the theatre renovations were due to be completed early 2000 the Society formed a sub committee to formulate a program for the opening to be submitted to the Council.
As can be expected there were varying views as to the best approach.
The main two ideas differed, one group wanted to have an M & D performance as part of the opening, while the other side wanted the Official Opening as Council suggested with a get together of VIP guests and Members at a social evening.
After many meetings and lively discussion, the latter was accomplished though not without some drama.
The Society staged an opening production within a few weeks of the official function in 2000.
Read more:
- Parkes Music & Dramatic Society History (1990) No 23
- Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society History (1991)
- Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society History (1992)
- Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society History (1993)
- Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society History (1994)
- Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society History (1995)
- Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society History (1996, 1997)